Members of the Trump administration keep lying about their mysterious connections to Russia. Donald Trump refuses to release his tax returns or the financial books for the Trump Organization that might provide clarity. And Republicans in Congress refuse to seriously investigate.
Clearly something unsavory is going on, so a growing chorus of newspaper editorial boards are now calling for an independent investigation. Here are 20 of those editorials:
New York Times, Editorial: When One President Smears Another
… His [Trump’s] accusation is so sensational — so explosive if it turned out to have some basis in fact and so corrosive if not — that Congress has no credible option but to convene a bipartisan select committee to investigate all questions related to Russian interference in the election. And if Mr. Trump has confidence in his claim, he should have no reluctance about the appointment of an independent counsel to get to the bottom of the Russia affair. ...
Washington Post Editorial Board: Sessions’s recusal can’t be the end of the story
… what is still needed is a broader investigation into Russia’s attempted interference in the election. If ongoing investigations by congressional intelligence committees are stymied by partisanship, an independent commission should be empaneled.
Chicago SunTimes: Editorial: Bring on a special prosecutor to probe Russia scandal
It is not enough that Jeff Sessions stepped aside Thursday.
What matters now is that an independent special prosecutor is appointed, one above all partisanship, who is determined to chase down every lead into any and all secret dealings between Russia, Donald Trump and the Trump presidential campaign. ...
Detroit Free Press: Editorial: Trump's Red cloud demands an independent probe
… Today, only a similar inquiry — one independent of both the Trump Justice Department and the standing congressional committees controlled by Republican majorities in both houses — can credibly exonerate the new administration of the grave allegations that have dogged its opening weeks. ...
USA Today, Editorial Board: Jeff Sessions' evasions -- Our view
… To find facts about the Russian role in the 2016 election, congressional leaders should name a select, Watergate-style committee of highly respected members from both parties and perhaps from both chambers. Any evidence of criminal wrongdoing would be referred to the Justice Department, where a high-ranking career official, not a political appointee, should appoint a special counsel, someone respected for integrity and independence. ...
Quad-City Times: Editorial: Trump's Russian connections require special prosecutor
… Only a special prosecutor can unwind the web of connections between Russian agents and President Donald Trump's administration, or, at the very least, a select committee tasked with offering Americans the truth. ...
Journal Inquirer (Connecticut), Editorial: Sessions' Russia relationship: Independent prosecutor needed
… An independent prosecutor should be chosen to conduct the investigation. The prosecutor should be provided with such powers that he or she may need to question anyone in the Trump campaign — including the president. ...
Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Editorial: Seek the truth on Trump/Russia with independent probe
… It emphasized the need for Congress to appoint — without delay — an independent prosecutor who is empowered to investigate Russian interference in the election and that country’s ties to the Trump campaign. ...
Sacramento Bee, Editorial Board: The Sessions bombshell proves need for real Russia investigation
It’s becoming clearer by the day that to get to the bottom of Russian interference in the presidential election, we need a bipartisan select committee in Congress, plus a special prosecutor. …
Tampa Bay Times: Editorial: Trump erodes confidence in presidency
… The congressional intelligence committees should immediately investigate and let the American public know the truth. And a special prosecutor or an independent commission should investigate Russia's attempt to influence the election in favor of Trump — without being distracted by the president's tweets.
New Jersey Star-Ledger: Now that Sessions is officially slippery, a special prosecutor must probe Trump-Russia ties | Editorial
… The only fair appraisal of this smoldering heap of duplicity can be made by an independent prosecutor, and Republican leadership is just kidding itself if it believes it can delay the inevitable. …
… Congressional leadership must tell the president that these are the precise circumstances that call for a special prosecutor - one who is responsible, respected, and trusted by both parties - and unless one is appointed, questions will drag out for years as Team Trump wilts under scrutiny. ...
Charlotte Observer, Editorial Board: When the fringe occupies the White House
… We believe an independent special prosecutor would be the better route toward separating truth from conspiracy. …
Boston Globe, Editorial: Appoint an independent prosecutor for Trump-Russia claims
… A special prosecutor may be the only option left for a full and independent inquiry into Russia’s alleged tampering in the 2016 campaign. …
MassLive (Springfield Republican): Trump-Russia connection raises myriad questions (Editorial)
… What's needed are answers. What's needed is a full, unfettered probe of the Trump-Russia connection.
Newsday, Editorial: Jeff Sessions was right to step aside, but a special prosecutor is needed
… Rosenstein’s first action must be to appoint a special counsel to take over this case.
Boston Herald: Editorial: Special counsel needed
… But the willingness of Nunes to apparently reach a conclusion in advance of a full gathering of the evidence should rule him out as a credible investigator.
It does, however, give weight to a call by the respected Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) for Sessions to appoint a career U.S. attorney as a special independent counsel to probe any links between Russia and Trump associates. …
Boulder, (CO) Daily Camera: Editorial: Exploring the Russian connection
… We need a bipartisan commission similar to the 9/11 Commission to examine the big picture in addition to a special prosecutor. …
Albany Times Union, Editorial: A real investigation, now
… Congress should create either a fully bipartisan select committee or an independent commission on the 2016 election. And it should name a special prosecutor, chosen with bipartisan consensus, to look into whether laws were broken. …
Seattle Times, Editorial: Congressional investigation of Russia must get full support of Republicans, President Trump
… A special, independent commission or prosecutor would be the best response ...
Lincoln Journal-Star: Editorial: A nation needs answers on Russia
…the revelations, likely to continue, will require an independent counsel to investigate the deeply troubling Russian meddling in U.S. politics and the connection with the Trump campaign and administration.